Breast Lift - Mastopexy

Breast lift or mastopexy is a cosmetic surgery for contouring and lifting sagging breasts, which have lost their firmness. These conditions can be inherited, can appear after pregnancy, after losing weight or can be caused by aging. These changes take place between the age of 20 and 40 and are progressive. The volume of breast tissue remains but the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts lose shape and firmness, and begin to sag. With breast lift surgery the breast firmness can be reestablished and their position can be corrected. Together with this surgery the reduction of the areola can be performed at the same time. If the breasts have lost their volume and the patient wants bigger ones, breast implants can also be inserted. The aim of this surgical procedure is to get back the breast?s desired form without noticable scars, and the breast size should always stand in relation to the body proportion of the person.

Preparation for your mastopexy

Your will get someuseful instructions from your plastic surgeon to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medicins. While making preparations, don?t forget to arrange someone who drives you home and who helps you at home for a few days after your surgery.

Instructions before the operation mastopexy

• Women under 40 years have to undergo an ultrasound examination for both breasts and the Axillary area, too. The laboratory report must not be older than 6 months.
• Women over 40 years have to undergo a mammography examination. The laboratory reports must not be older than a year.
• Your general practitioner has to issue a medical certificate to release you to the operation. Routine laboratory tests must be made (blood cell count, ions, liver and kidney function, Prothrombin, blood sugar, blood group).
• ECG
• Thorax Roentgen
• Smoking and drinking alcohol is forbidden.
• Do not take aspirin and any medicine containing aspirin for 2 weeks before surgery.
• If you are regularly taking medicines, you have to discuss with your surgeon which must be taken or left off.
• Do not eat or drink or smoke 6 hours before surgery.
• Chewing gums and drops are?not permitted either.
• Before surgery you have to take off your rings, jewellery, piercing and take out your dentures, contact lenses and remove your make-up.
• The surgery of women should be performed outside the menstruation period.

The surgery

Breast lift is performed under general anaesthesia. Depending on its complexity, the surgery takes 2-3 hours. The most used technique is when an anchor shaped incision is done following the natural breast curves. The extra skin is removed and the nipple and areola are moved higher following a pre-made drawing. At the same time, the breast tissue is separated from the pectoral muscle and the breast is locked into the new position with stitches. A circular scar around the areola, a vertical scar from the areola to the breast crease and one scar in the crease will result. The patients with small breast and minimal ptosis (sagging breasts) can be candidates to modified procedures that require smaller incisions. If it has been decided that a silicone implant will also be used, this will be inserted into a pocket under the mammary tissue or the pectoral muscle. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first post-operational day. After the surgery a special surgical bra has to be worn night and day. Hospital-stay of 24 hours is necessary.

Recovery after your surgery

After the surgery, if there aren?t any complications, you need to spend at least 1 night in the clinic?s well equipped, comfortable, air-conditioned ensuite recovery-room. In the first two days antibiotics are given to the patient. If fever occurs, then you have to take antibiotics for further 6 days. On the second day the drainage will be removed. In the first days after surgery the breasts will be swollen and painful, but any discomfort and pain can be relieved with medications prescribed by your plastic surgeon. The special surgical bra has to be worn day and night for 6 weeks. Removing of the stitches takes place in 2 weeks after surgery. Taking a shower is only permitted after the removal of the stitches. Easy body exercises are only permitted 4 weeks after surgery. Doing sports (tennis, jogging, swimming) is only possible after 6-8 weeks. Avoid intensive exposure to the sun for at least 2 -3 months in order to prevent pigmentation of the scars. The scars will swell and turn red in the first six months, only after 9-12 months they begin to flatten and fade away. You should know that scars will never disappear completely. Depending on the level of activity required, patients are generally able to return to work or school in approximately one week?s time.

Complications and risks of mastopexy

As with any surgery, there is risk of complication that may include infection, bleeding, or reaction to anesthesia. Immediately after surgery, there may be some pain, which can be treated by a prescription from the plastic surgeon. If the pain is more severe, additional follow-up visits may be scheduled. List of complications may include: infections, bleeding, skin and tissue necrosis, permanent loss of breast and nipple sensation, breastfeeding will not be possible after surgery, permanent unaesthetic scarring, breast asymmetry etc.

Price of mastopexy

The prices below are just to your information. You can ask for a quotation if you send us pictures of the relevant area. However, the exact price of the surgery can only be given by the plastic surgeon after having a full consultation.

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If you have any questions concerning further plastic-surgeries,? we gladly answer all your questions. For more information, please for a consultation appointment with our plastic surgeon.